The 2025 Winners Of Our “Picture This” Student Photo Contest
WAYNE LIFESTYLE
Picture This Student Photo Bonus
“Love The Game”
KAYLA HOUSER
Wayne Valley High School
STRAIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY
This Month’s Student Photo Is Presented By
August: Our Kids & Pets Issue
August has historically been a very exciting issue for us because it’s the issue we unveil the winners of our annual “Picture This” Student Photography Contest. Once again, we received over 200 photo submissions and we picked 3 winners each for the categories of “Straight Photography” and “Digitally Manipulated Photography” as well as a Cover Photo Winner. As you can see on our cover, winner Ava Renner captured the beauty and wonder of life in one photo. It’s an incredible feat for the 16-year old Wayne Hills High School student. Each year, the students have shown a vast improvement in their choice of subjects to photograph as well as the execution in taking those photos. I am so proud of them all, both the students and their photography teachers.
Speaking of students, we included a great reminder guide for you in regards to the most important thing you need to pack for your college-bound kid. It’s a must read for sure!
Then we switched it up to the “pet” side of our “Kids & Pets Issue”. We gave you a small gallery of family pet photos also turned in for the contest. Be ready though, not every pet is a type you are used to seeing.
We also gave you a little insight into throwing a DIY dog birthday party…can they really blow out candles?
As you know, we always include a recipe each month. This month we included 2 and they also focused on your family pet. We have one recipe for dog treats and one for cat treats… something for (almost) everyone, right?
We all recognize that our children are our future and that they can be the better version of ourselves, the version the world deserves. We also understand that they can go a completely different route than we did, and that may even be for the better. No matter what, find a way to make a positive, lasting impression on them whenever possible as we are all helping to shape everyone’s future. And pet a dog now and then…they deserve it too.
Lastly, try to remember to let your inner child out once in a while. It’s ok to be silly and laugh and not always take yourself so seriously.
See you on the playground!
August 2025
PUBLISHER
Phillip Barone | phillip.barone@citylifestyle.com
EDITOR
Don Seaman | don.seaman@citylifestyle.com
SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR
Officially Social | alison@officiallysocial.com
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Don Seaman, Ellen Goodman, Bailey Hall, Phillip Barone
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Ava Renner, Ayden Acebo, Izabella Munoz, Reid Martens, Leah Kleinstein, Sean Manansala, Chad Thompson, Karolina Burzynska, Faryah Schwarz, Paityn Levesque, Stella Grecco, Alexa Buddin, Daria Terry, Gina Radice, Aliana Parisi, Patti Hulbert, Kayla Houser, Samantha Orrego, Jaylen Lovell, Gia De Stefano
Corporate Team
CEO Steven Schowengerdt
COO Matthew Perry
CRO Jamie Pentz
VP OF OPERATIONS Janeane Thompson
VP OF SALES Andrew Leaders
AD DESIGNER Rachel Otto
LAYOUT DESIGNER Kelsi Southard
QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Hannah Leimkuhler
2025
city scene
WHERE NEIGHBORS CAN SEE AND BE SEEN
1: The Wayne Rotary hosted their Annual 5k and it was all smiles! 2: Runners of all ages came out to put their best foot forward and take first. 3: The Boys and Girls Club held their annual golf tourney, now with the Golf Cannon! 4: There could be only one overall winning runner but there were standouts in every division! 5: Everyone played well on an absolutely gorgeous day. 6: Not only did the children benefit, but personal and professional relationships were strengthened. 7: Italian Social-Networking Group, Ragazzi, had another fantastic meal together, this time at Palazone 1960.
Want to be seen in the magazine?
PATTI HULBERT
PATTI HULBERT
PATTI HULBERT
GINA RADICE
GINA RADICE
GINA RADICE
ALIANA PARISI
“A Way Out”, Sean Manansala, Digitally Manipulated Photography, Wayne Valley High School
SHOWCASING THE WINNERS OF OUR ANNUAL STUDENT PHOTO CONTEST
"Picture This" 2025
We’re proud to share with you the winners of Wayne Lifestyle’s Annual “Picture This” Student Photography Contest. As usual, there were more than 200 submissions. As this is our third annual student photography contest, we were excited to see the progress of various students from year to year. As a whole, the student submissions have been steadily increasing in quality each year.
The contest is open to any student in grades 9-12 as long as they live in or attend the school districts within Wayne, Fairfield, Montville, or Towaco. The majority of the entries come from Wayne Hills and Wayne Valley. Keep your “A” game coming kids, next year we are certain to see many more entries from other schools.
We have picked 3 winners for both Straight Photography and Digitally Manipulated Photography. Like last year, we have also chosen an overall Winning Cover Photo.
THIS YEAR’S WINNERS WERE: Cover Photo Winner: Ava Renner, Wayne Hills, “The Wonders Of Life”
Straight Photography:
Ayden Acebo, Wayne Hills, “Light Up The Sky” Izabella Munoz, Wayne Valley, “Sunset On Paradise” Reid Martens, Wayne Hills, “Bambi”
Digitally Manipulated Photography: Leah Kleinstein, Wayne Hills, “Powerful Spin” Sean Manansala, Wayne Valley, “A Way Out” Chad Thompson, Wayne Hills, “The Lost Man”
Wayne Lifestyle salutes all of the participants in this year’s contest.
We are excited to announce that All Winning Photos Will Be on Display August through November at Guacamole: A Taste of Mexico in Wayne at 1055 Hamburg Turnpike.
The announcement for next year’s contest will be in the February 2026 Issue. For further inquiries or if you have an interest in sponsoring the contest, please email wayne@citylifestyle.com
There is nothing more local than the lens of our students' cameras.
ARTICLE BY PHILLIP BARONE
PHOTOGRAPHY BY STUDENTS WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY
“Bambi”, Reid Martens, Straight Photography, Wayne Hills High School
“Sunset On Paradise”, Izabella Munoz, Straight Photography, Wayne Valley High School
“Powerful Spin”, Leah Kleinstein,, Digitally Manipulated Photography, Wayne Hills High School
“The Lost Man”, Chad Thompson, Digitally Manipulated Photography, Wayne Hills High School
“Light Up The Sky”, Ayden Acebo, Straight Photography, Wayne Hills High School
This magazine is how Phillip redefined success
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Published by Phillip Loved by Wayne
Is Your Kid College-bound? Read This Now!
Maybe The Most Important Thing For Your College Packing List
Back in April, we spoke to Ellen about this important legal protection for your kids as they turn 18. Here's a quick reminder of what's at stake before they head off into the world.
Did you know….
• Once your child turns 18, you can no longer make medical decisions or access health records without legal authorization.
• If your child is unconscious or incapacitated (e.g., due to an accident or illness), without having a Medical Power Of Attorney (POA), you cannot make healthcare decisions.
• Without a Medical POA in place, hospitals may require court orders before allowing you to act on your own child's behalf.
ARTICLE BY ELLEN GOODMAN
Goodman Law Office
For Assistance, contact Ellen Goodman, estate planning attorney at Goodman Law Office LLC at 973-370-3025 ( goodmanlawnj.com)
• This can result in delays and legal fees just to achieve the right to make medical decisions on behalf of your own child.
How do you avoid this?
• Your child should have a Medical POA in place before going to college.
• A Medical POA can include a HIPAA release, granting access to your child's medical records when necessary.
• Having this will eliminate delays in critical situations by clearly designating who is allowed to speak with doctors and make decisions.
• A Medical POA will ensure you or someone else you choose can coordinate care or authorize treatment even if your child is far from home.
• Finally, a Medical POA reassures families that someone they trust can step in and help during health crises without needing court intervention.
THE other child FAMILY’S 5
2 3 4 5
Not Every Pet Is A Dog Or Cat
ARTICLE BY DON SEAMAN
PHOTOGRAPHY BY WAYNE HILLS PHOTOGRAPHY STUDENTS
The photography students of Wayne Hills High School share some of their favorite pet pictures.
1. KAROLINA BURZYNSKA: “Not A Squirrel”
2. FARYAH SCHWARZ: “Lithobates Clamitans”
3. PAITYN LEVESQUE: “Button Nose”
4. STELLA GRECCO: “Furry Friend”
5. ALEXA BUDDIN: “Golden Grazer”
Photo by West Essex High School Photographer Xavier Rosairo
Seraphim Wood
Home Made Pet Treats
Easy Recipes For Kids To Treat Their Furry Buddies
ARTICLE BY DON SEAMAN
Kids love to help take care of their pets (unless it's raining). Here's two simple, kidfriendly recipes for treats - one for a dog, one for a cat. But who are we kidding? A dog would likely eat both.
Pumpkin Dog Treats
Ingredients:
• 1 cup canned pumpkin (not pie filling)
• 2 eggs
• 1/3 cup peanut butter (xylitol-free)
• 2 cups whole wheat flour
Steps:
1. Mix pumpkin, eggs, and peanut butter in a bowl
2. Add flour slowly until a dough forms
3. Roll out and cut with cookie cutters
4. Bake at 350°F for 15 minutes (adult supervision needed)
Tuna Cat Treats
Ingredients:
• 1 can tuna in water (drained)
• 1 egg
• 1 cup oat flour
Steps:
1. Mash tuna with fork
2. Mix in egg
3. Add flour to make dough
4. Roll into small balls
5. Bake at 350°F for 10 minutes (adult supervision needed)
ARTICLE BY BAILEY HALL | PHOTOGRAPHY BY DARIA TERRY
DIY DOG BIRTHDAY PARTY
THROW A PAWSOME BIRTHDAY PARTY FOR YOUR FURRY FRIEND
DIY PARTY FAVORS FOR DOGS
Create delightful DIY party favors for your dog guests by filling small bags or boxes with goodies. Include a tennis ball for playtime fun and a selection of treats for them to enjoy. You can also add a small toy or chew for variety. These favors ensure that every pup goes home happy and tired from all the play and treats.
TREAT STATION FOR OWNERS
Keep the human guests happy with a creative Treat Station for Owners. Use brand new, clean dog food bowls as serving dishes for snacks like chips, pretzels, and candies. Arrange the bowls on a table with a festive tablecloth and some dog-themed decorations. Label each bowl with fun names like “Puppy Chow” for trail mix or “Doggie Biscuits” for cookies.
HOW TO MAKE A DOG BIRTHDAY CAKE
A birthday party isn’t complete without a cake, even for dogs! To make a dog-friendly birthday cake, start with ingredients like peanut butter, bananas, and carrots. Mix 1 cup of flour, 1/4 cup of rolled oats, 1 teaspoon of baking powder, and a pinch of cinnamon in one bowl. In another bowl, blend 1/4 cup of unsweetened applesauce, 1/4 cup of peanut butter, 1 mashed banana, and 1/2 cup of grated carrots. Combine the wet and dry ingredients, then pour the batter into a greased cake pan. Bake at 350°F for 25-30 minutes. Let it cool, then frost with a mixture of Greek yogurt and peanut butter. Decorate with dog treats and serve to your excited pup!
